Child died again in RCC after blood transfusion; boy contracted With HIV positive

Relatives of a 14-year-old boy, who died last month after testing HIV positive, have alleged that the boy contracted the virus during the blood transfusion at Regional Cancer Centre (RCC). However, the RCC authorities denied it saying that he had received blood from multiple sources.

Responding to the issue, health minister K K Shylaja said there was no need for concern and appropriate action would be taken after conduction a proper enquiry. “RCC is a place where thousands seek treatment. In rare occasions, such cases may occur,” the minister replied.

The serious allegation comes at a time when RCC is already in the dock, after a child, from Haripad died contracting HIV through blood transfusion last month. The 14-year-old Idukki native, who was under treatment for blood cancer in RCC died on March 26. The hospital authorities itself had told to the child about testing HIV positive. The tests carried out at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College and AIDS Control Society also established the kid as HIV positive.

The tests also revealed that the boy contracted the disease through blood transfusion. When RCC authorities claim that the boy was given blood from other places too, his parents deny it. They said their son was given blood only from RCC.

It was last month that a 9-year-old girl from Haripad died after getting infected with HIV. In the probe it was revealed that the child contracted the disease during blood transfusion at RCC. But RCC authorities denied it and the parents of the child have approached the court to get justice.